Structurally augmented,faced,masonry barrier



Jan. 14, 1969 v, CHRlST-JANER STRUGTURALLY AUGMENTED, FACED, MASONRY BARRIER Filed Feb. 4, 1966 Sheet of a I NYEN TOR.

VICTOR CHRlST-JANER maw ATTORNEYS Jan. 14, 1969 v, m T- A R I 3,421,278

STRUCTURALLY AUGME'NTED, FACED, MASONRY BARRIER Filed Feb. 4, 1966 Sheet 2 of 2 I N VE 5 VICTOR CHRlST-JANER his ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,421,278 STRUCTURALLY AUGMENTED, FACED, MASONRY BARRIER Victor Christ-Janet, 70 Elm St., New Canaan, Conn. 06840 Filed Feb. 4, 1966, Ser. No. 525,196 US. Cl. 52-419 Int. Cl. E04b 2/14; E04c 1/00 9 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to load supporting struc tures, and more particularly, to a new and improved masonry structure composed of a wall and shingles.

Wall structures generally include an outer veneer of shingles which protects the outer surface of the wall from rain and snow and performs other useful functions. However the prior art shingles may be considered as appendages to their supporting wall in the sense that they do not provide any significant load supporting function.

Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide a masonry structure comprising a masonry wall and a plurality of load transmitting masonry forms joined by mortar, which forms contribute to the mechanical strength of the wall.

In accordance with the invention there is provided a composite wall-shingle structure in which the shingles not only protect the wall from inclement weather conditions but also conjointly act with the wall to support a significant portion of the load carried by the structure.

Summary of the invention The foregoing objects are realized in the form of a masonry structure comprising a masonry wall with vertically spaced continuous horizontal channels formed within the wall. Secured in such channels are a plurality of load transmitting masonry forms including angularly projecting supporting flanges at the top of the forms fixedly secured, in adjacent channels by mortar, the forms having horizontal flanges at the lower end of the forms extending toward the masonry Wall with a groove or recess formed in the bottom of the lower flanges, the top of each subjacent forms projecting into and being fixedly secured by a mortar joint within the groove or recess, the top flanges and the lower horizontal flanges extending away from the outer surface of the wall thereby to provide an air space between the outer surface of the wall and the inner surface of the form, the remote spacing of the form from the wall and the joints between adjacent forms at the upper end and the lower end of each form, and the securing of the flanges to the wall in combination imparting to the wall substantial rigidity, resistance to bending stresses, and increased loadsupporting strength. The invention also includes the masonry forms adapted to be used in the construction of such a masonry structure.

In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, the wall is provided with vertically spaced channels. Each shingle is at one end fixedly secured in a load transmitting rela- 3,421,278 Patented Jan. 14, 1969 tion Within a corresponding channel and at its opposite end is fixedly secured in a load transmitting relation to an adjacent underlying shingle. The dimensions of each shingle, considering the particular strength of the material of which the shingle is formed, are of such a magnitude so as to materially contribute to the structural strength of the composite wall-shingle structure.

Shingles constructed in accordance with the invention provide the following advantages: they are strong, durable, attractive in appearance, have no exposed horizontal mortar joints, and may be readily manufactured at a low cost.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view showing the exterior portions of a representative load supporting shingle in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of the shingle of FIGURE 1 showing the interior constructional details of the shingle;

FIGURE 3 is a cross-sectional view of the composite Wall-shingle structure embodying the invention taken along the lines 33 of FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 4 is a broken away front view of the wallshingle structure of FIGURE 3; and

FIGURE 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the lines 55 of FIGURE 4.

Referring now to the exemplary embodiment of the invention shown in FIGURES 1 through 5, a load supporting masonry structure is shown to comprise a wall 10 and a plurality of interlocked masonry shingles 11 which are fixedly secured to the wall 10.

At the outset it will be indicated that the shingles 11 are adapted to materially contribute to the load supporting capability of a composite wall-shingle structure. To accomplish this result, the Wall 10 and the shingles 11 must act in unison so that each Will carry a portion of the load exerted upon the structure. In order for the shingles 11 to carry any significant load, they must first be fixedly secured to each other in interlocked load transmitting relation, which is to say that the interlocked shingles may be considered as a single integral structure. Secondly, each of the shingles 11 must be fixedly secured to the wall 10. In order to transmit the load between the wall 10 and the shingles 11, there must be no sliding between the wall 10 and shingles 11 at their points of joinder. In addition to the above criteria, the shngles 11 must be dimensioned in relation to the physical properties of the Wall 10 and the shingles 11 (i.e., working compressive and shearing stresses) so as to be capable of supporting a load.

For composite wall type structures, the calculations of the size of shingles may be obtained by standard formulas. More particularly, the maximum stresses in a composite wall type structure may be calculated by superposing the compressive or tensile stresses caused by axial forces upon the bending stresses produced by transverse forces. In such calculations by using appropriate working stresses of the material forming the wall 10 and the shingles 11 and the anticipated loading upon the structure, the most practical dimensions of the shingles for any given sized wall 10 of a particular material may be readily ascertained.

The wall 10, a masonry structure, is shown to be embodied by a plurality of stacked concrete or cinder blocks 12 which are fixedly secured to each other by means of a mortar type joint 13. It will be understood that the term masonry in this specification includes not only structures formed from brick, stone, or masonry blocks but also structures formed from prefabricated concrete, poured concrete, tile, stucco, or the like. The term mortar is meant to encompass not only cement type adhesion mixtures but also all other adhesives used by the construction industry.

As shown in FIGURE 4, every other block 12 is shown to be provided with a horizontal channel 15 aligned in relation to the horizontal channels 15 of the other blocks 12 of its course. Each horizontal channel 15 extends inwardly to a position just beyond the midpoint of the width of its block 12.

Each single 11 is an angular member formed by a substantially horizontal flange 17 and a substantially vertical flange 18 integrally formed with the horizontal flange 17. The vertical flange 17 extends downwardly and outwardly from the horizontal flange 17 and terminates in a free end; the angle of inclination of the outer surface of the shingle 11 may make an angle of for example about 4 /2 with a vertical plane. The horizontal flange 17 when mounted in its receiving channel 15 is fixedly secured in a load transmitting relation with the wall 10 by means of a mortar joint 19 and preferably extends inwardly to a position in the central region of its receiving block 12.

The top surface 25 of each horizontal shingle extends outwardly from its mounted position in the channel 15 to a location spaced from the wall 10. Just below the horizontal flange 17, each vertical flange 10 is formed with an inner surface 22 which is spaced from the outer surface 23 of its adjacent receiving block 12.

It is to be noted that the extreme outer portion of the top surface 25 of the horizontal flange 17 is inclined, providing a seating surface for the free end 27 of a superjacent shingle 11 disposed in the course above. The free end 27 of each shingle 11 is provided with a groove which in effect provides the free end 27 with a stepped portion 27a and an extended portion 27b. In an interlocked relation, the extended portion 27b overlaps the outer surface 28 of an underlying shinge 11 and facilitates a rain run off pattern which is directed downwardly and outwardly, thereby preventing water from entering a mortar joint 31 which fixedly secures in a load transmitting relation the stepped portion 27a to an underlying shingle 11.

Interposed between the horizontal flange 17 and free end 27 of each shingle 11 is a longitudinally extending flange 30 which is adapted to be fixedly secured in a load transmitting relation to the wall 10 by means of a mortar joint 32.

As will be clear from the drawings, the shingle 11 is so constructed that each of its mortar joints 19, 31, and 32 is not exposed directly to moisture from rain or snow thereby permitting these joints to properly set and achieve maximum strength.

The flange 30 in conjunction with the interior surface 22 of the vertical flange 17, which is spaced from the wall 10, provides two extended air chambers 34 and 35. The air chambers 34 and 35, which may be in communication with a run off drain, facilitate the drying of any moisture between the shingles 11 and the wall 10, thereby preventing deterioration of the outer surface 23 of the wall 10. Furthermore the air chambers 34 and 35, each provide acoustical and temperature insulating functions.

The vertical edges 40 of the shingles 11 in each course are fixedly secured to adjacent shingles 11 and transfer load by means of mortar joints 44. At least one edge of each shingle 11 is provided with an inclined surface 41 (see FIGURE which provides a large mortar contact area and thus strengthens the joints 44.

As shown in FIGURE 4, the overlying course of shingles 11 is fixedly secured to the underlying course in a staggered relation; namely, each shingle 11 in an overlying course is fixedly secured to two underlying shingles 11. The same staggered arrangement is used to secure an underlying course of shingles 11 to a superjacent course.

The use of separately manufactured masonry shingles 11 will enable a manufacturer to treat the outer surface 28 of the shingles 11 with a water-repellent after the shingles have cured for the necessary period of time, thereby preventing spalling of the masonry shingles so common with concrete masonry structures during the curing interval between their construction and when a water-repellent may be employed. Inasmuch as each of the mortar joints is, as mentioned above, protected from inclement weather, the exterior surface 23 of the wall 10 need not be coated with any water-repellent finish, and moreover the selection of the material for the wall may in a proper instance be expanded to include the more permeable and alkaline types of masonry.

Although the invention has been described herein with reference to a specific embodiment, many modifications and variations therein will readily occur to those skilled in the art. For example, it should be clear that the Wall 10 and the shingles 11 may be formed from different material depending upon the strength of these materials and other criteria such as esthetic appeal of the shingles. Accordingly, all such variations and modifications are included within the intended scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a masonry structure comprising a masonry wall with vertically spaced continuous horizontal channels formed in said wall, a plurality of load transmitting masonry forms including angularly projecting supporting flanges at the top of the forms fixedly secured in adjacent channels by mortar, said flanges including inclined lower surfaces merging with the inner surfaces of the forms and being relatively closely spaced from the mouth of the channels of said masonry wall, said forms having horizontal flanges at the lower end of said forms extending toward and abutting said masonry wall with a recess formed in the bottom of said lower flanges, the top of each said subjacent forms projecting into and being fixedly secured by a mortar joint within said recess, said top flanges and said lower horizontal flanges extending inwardly toward the outer surface of said wall thereby to provide an air space between the outer surf-ace of the wall and the inner surface of said form, said remote spacing of said form from said wall and the joints between adjacent forms at the upper end and the lower end of each form, and the securing of said flanges to the wall in combination imparting to the wall substantially rigidity, resistance to bending stresses, and increased load-supporting strength.

2. A structure as described in claim 1 in which the lower surfaces of said lower flanges are inclined outwardly and downwardly, and the mating upper surfaces of the upper horizontal flanges of the subadjacent forms are also inclined outwardly and downwardly.

3. A structure as in claim 1 wherein the portion of said form below said recess and toward the lower end of the form overlaps a portion of the outer upper surface of the overlying form.

4. A structure as in claim 1 wherein each said form includes an intermediate flange interposed between said upper horizontal flange and said lower end and being in load-transmitting relationship with the exterior surface of said wall.

5. A masonry structure as described in claim 1 wherein the upper edge of said form is offset in toward said masonry wall with relation to the lower end of the superjacent form.

6. A structure as in claim 1 wherein a plurality of said forms are disposed in each said receiving channel in a side-by-side relation, each said shingle being fixedly secured to adjacent forms disposed in its receiving channel.

7. A masonry structure as described in claim 1, wherein said upper horizontal flange extends inwardly into said masonry wall approximately to the center of the masonry wall.

8. A masonry load supporting form comprising an upper first flange adapted to be laid up integrally in a masonry wall in a load transmitting relation within a continuous horizontal receiving channel of said masonry wall, a vertical body portion integrally formed with said upper first flange and extending angularly from said first flange to a free end, the junction between said first flange and said body portion including an inner surface inclined with respect to both the plane defined by said first flange and the plane defined by said body portion, said form having a second flange adjacent the free end of said form with a recess formed in the surface of said second horizontal flange contiguous to said free end, said free end being adapted to be fixedly secured by a mortar joint in a load transmitting relation to the upper first flange of an underlying form with the upper edge of said upper first flange seated in said recess, said upper flange terminating at a greater distance from said body portion than said lower flange whereby said form may be secured to said masonry wall with the first flange seated in said channel and the lower flange being in load transmitting relationship with the outer surface of said masonry wall to thereby provide an insulating air space between said body portion and the outer surface of said wall, said air space and the joints between adjacent forms at the upper end and the lower end of each form, and the securing of said flanges to the wall in combination imparting to the wall substantial insulation, rigidity, resistance to bending stresses, and increased load-supporting strength.

9. A masonry form as in claim 8 wherein said form includes an intermediate flange interposed between said first flange and said free end and being adapted to be located adjacent the outer surface of said wall.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,159,134 5/1939 Clark 52-478 801,920 10/1905 Schwab 52-569 1,661,750 3/1928 Dunbar 52-510 2,033,831 3/1936 Jensen 52570 FOREIGN PATENTS 494,928 8/1950 Belgium.

907,583 2/ 1954 Germany.

526,261 10/1921 France.

910,580 2/ 1946 France.

HENRY C. SUTHERLAND, Primary Examiner.

U.S. Cl. X.R. 

